The opening game of the final round involved two teams that were already out of the running for the finals, but West Coast ensured they would finish their season on a high with a comprehensive 80-point win over Richmond at Subiaco Oval.Despite some inaccurate finishing early, the Eagles held a 23-point lead at quarter time. The Tigers came out breathing fire at the start of the second term, kicking 3 goals in a row to cut the margin to 5 points. But the Eagles then asserted themselves, gradually tightening the screws as they won the quarter. The contest was already effectively over, and the Eagles then dominated play after the break, holding the Tigers to just a solitary goal after the long break while kicking 8 themselves.Mark LeCras kicked 5 goals for the Eagles, while Adam Selwood, Tom Swift and Matthew Priddis were their best ball-winners with 26 goals. Nic Naitanui was also prominent, dominating the ruck contests. No finals for the Eagles, but at least premiership heroes Adam Hunter and Chad Fletcher went out on a high. For the Tigers, it was a disappointing end to a disastrous season; the biggest positive for the Tigers is that the season is over. Ben Cousins and Brett Deledio won plenty of the ball for the Tigers, but were unable to control play effectively with it as the home side showed their class in every aspect of the game.West Coast 4.8 9.14 15.18 17.23 (125)Richmond 1.3 5.5 5.6 6.9 (45)Goals : West Coast - McLeCras 5, B Staker 3, B McKinley 2, B Ebert, A Embley, S Hurn, J Kennedy, Q Lynch, M Spangher, T Swift. Richmond – B Deledio, S Edwards, J McMahon, M Morton, G Polak, S Tuck.Best : West Coast – T Swift, M Spangher, M LeCras, B Rosa, Q Lynch, M Priddis. Richmond – B Deledio, S Tuck, J McMahon, B Cousins, R Nahas, J Riewoldt.Injuries : West Coast – Nil. Richmond - M White replaced in selected side by J Post.Reports – Nil. Umpires - M James, S Grun, H Ryan.Crowd - 39,017 at Subiaco Oval.

Geelong ensured they would go into the finals series in winning form when they dominated Fremantle before cruising to a 40-point win at Kardinia Park on Saturday afternoon.The Cats controlled play in the first half, kicking the first 5 goals of the game on their way to a 9 goals to 2 half. Leading by 49 points at the long break, with the game safe and not wanting to expend any more energy than they had to ahead of the finals, the Cats put their cue back in the rack in the third term and allowed Fremantle to win the quarter. But the Dockers were never able to string enough goals together to give them any hope of getting back into the contest, and the Cats coasted to a comfortable win.Veteran Darren Milburn accumulated 36 possessions while midfielders Gary Ablett and Jimmy Bartel racked up 35 apiece as the Cats dominated possession, recording over 200 touches more than the outclassed Dockers. The Cats have struggled through the second half of the season, with some losses and unconvincing wins; but this result signalled a return to form on the eve of the finals. While for the Dockers, the final siren was a relief as it meant their dismal season was finally over.Geelong 5.1 9.3 11.6 14.10 (94)Fremantle 1.2 2.2 5.4 8.6 (54)Goals : Geelong – T Hawkins 3, S Hogan 2, C Mooney 2, R Gamble 2, M Rooke, G Ablett, S Byrnes, D Wojcinski, J Corey. Fremantle – M Pavlich, S Hill, M Broughton, C Mayne, D Headland, K Bradley, H Ballantyne, P Duffield.Best : Geelong – D Milburn, J Bartel, G Ablett, M Scarlett, J Corey, C Enright. Fremantle – M Pavlich, C Tarrant, M Drum, C Mayne, A Grover, K Bradley.Injuries : Geelong - D Wojcinski (ankle), M Rooke (quad). Fremantle - Nil.Reports : Fremantle – S Dodd reported for charging G Ablett (Geelong) in the second quarter.Umpires - M Nicholls, J Schmitt, R Findlay.Crowd - 18,196 at Skilled Stadium.

Essendon have qualified for their first finals series since 2004 in controversial circumstances, after defeating Hawthorn by 17 points in a spiteful game at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.In front of a huge MCG crowd, it was a tough, physical contest with no quarter asked or given. Turning back the clock to the “line in the sand” match, or hard contests of years gone by, the bumps were hard and frequent, the bruises commonplace and it was no place for the faint-hearted. Jarrod Atkinson copped a nasty bump early, but returned to land an even harder one on Brad Sewell. But it was shortly after half time that all hell broke loose.The Hawks had enjoyed the better of play in the first half, their midfield of Sam Mitchell and Brad Sewell dominant as they went to a 22-point lead at the long break. But within 10 seconds of the bounce to start the third quarter, Matthew Lloyd landed a high bump on Brad Sewell. Sewell’s Hawk team-mates ran in to remonstrate, and a wild mellee broke out. Campbell Brown, interchanged under the blood rule, pointed demonstratively at Bomber coach Matthew Knights before returning to take a shot at Pat Ryder. It was the biggest all-in brawl seen this season, passions running high on both sides.But after the mellee came to an end, it was the Bombers who recovered quicker, a 5 goals to 2 quarter cutting the deficit to just 5 points at the last change. Within a minute of the restart the Bombers were in front, and with a run of 4 in a row they set up a lead that the Hawks were unable to peg back. And so the Bombers have made it to the finals, while Hawthorn’s title defence is over.Essendon 3.3 5.9 10.13 16.20 (116)Hawthorn 4.5 9.7 11.12 14.15 (99)Goals : Essendon – M Hurley 4, A Lovett 2, N Lovett-Murray 2, H Hocking, A Monfries, B Stanton, J Neagle, J Atkinson, R Dyson, J Winderlich, S Lonergan. Hawthorn – B Dowler 3, C Bateman 3, M Osborne 2, B McGlynn, B Muston, G Moss, J Kennedy, C Rioli, R Schoenmakers.Best : Essendon – B Stanton, M Hurley, B Prismall, A McPhee, P Ryder, J Atkinson. Hawthorn – S Mitchell, M Osborne, C Bateman, L Hodge, J Lewis, B Dowler.Injuries : Essendon – Nil. Hawthorn – M Bailey (knee), B Sewell (concussion).Reports : Essendon – J Atkinson for rough conduct on G Birchall in the first quarter, M Lloyd for rough conduct on B Sewell in the third quarter.Umpires - M Stevic, S McLaren, H Ryan.Crowd - 77,278 at MCG.

Adelaide ensured themselves a home final while condemning Carlton to a sudden death road trip when the Crows demolished the Blues by 72 points in a high-scoring shootout at Docklands.The Blues got off to a quick start, kicking six of the first eight goals to lead by 22 points at the 17 minute mark. But the Crows lifted a gear in the latter stages of an epic 36-minute quarter to cut the deficit to just 5 points at quarter time, and into the lead in the opening minute of the second term. Both sides were playing open, attacking football; but it was the Crows who were playing the better football to stretch the advantage to 20 points at half time.The premiership quarter saw the pendulum swing further Adelaide’s way, as they kicked 7 goals to 2 to lead by 53 points at the last change. From there, it was only a matter of time, and a further 7 goals, until the Crows were able to claim victory and ensure a home final against Essendon next weekend.Jason Porplyzia, Kurt Tippett and Chris Knights all kicked 4 for the Crows, while Bernie Vince with 34 possessions and dual Norm Smith Medallist Andrew McLeod with 31 were prominent around the ground for the Crows. For Carlton, Brendan Fevola kicked 5 while Bryce Gibbs’ 37 possessions in a losing side was a bright spot in an afternoon where little went right for the Blues.Adelaide 6.3 13.7 20.11 27.14 (176)Carlton 7.2 10.5 12.6 16.8 (104)Goals : Adelaide – J Porplyzia 4, C Knights 4, K Tippett 4, B Vince 3, P Dangerfield 2, T Hentschel 2, B Burton 2, A McLeod, S Goodwin, D Mackay, B Symes, S Thompson, J Sellar. Carlton – B Fevola 5, N Stevens 2, A Walker, S O'hAilpin, S Hampson, A Joseph, K Simpson, B Gibbs, M Murphy, A Carrazzo, C Yarran.Best : Adelaide – B Vince, S Thompson, A McLeod, K Tippett, B Symes, G Johncock. Carlton – B Gibbs, H Scotland, N Stevens, A Walker, B Thornton, C Yarran.Injuries : Adelaide - N van Berlo (back strain), D Mackay (ankle). Carlton – Nil.Reports – Nil. Umpires - M Vozzo, S McBurney, S Meredith.Crowd - 42,356 at Docklands.

It was an emotional night at the SCG when the Swans farewelled retiring premiership heroes Michael O’Loughlin, Leo Barry and Jarred Crouch. But despite a determined charge in the last quarter, there would be no fairytale finish for them as Brisbane completed an 8-point victory to earn themselves a home final against Carlton.The first quarter was an even contest, with the Swans leading by a point at the first change. But Brisbane got on top in the second term, with 7 goals to 3 putting the visitors 26 points in front at half time. And when the Lions kicked the first two goals of the third term, it looked like the contest was well and truly over.But the Swans weren’t done yet, and with 5 goals over the remainder of the quarter the margin lead was cut back to 14 points. And even after an early Lions goal in the last term, the Swans continued to press. Michael O’Loughlin was determined to go out on a high note, his double in the last quarter giving him a 4-goal haul for the game; his last goal at the 22 minute mark cutting the margin back to just 2 points with still plenty of time on the clock. But the winning goal proved to be beyond the Swans, and instead it was the Lions who made the game safe when Justin Sherman goaled at the 28 minute mark.The final margin was 8 points, enough to ensure the Lions a home final in the first week of the playoffs. But for the Swans, for the first time since 2002, there would be no action at the business end of the season. After the game, an emotional tribute to the retiring champions and a lap of honour signalled the end to the Swans’ season.Click here to see Harboursport's photo gallery from this match.Brisbane 3.4 10.8 13.9 15.10 (100)Sydney 3.5 6.6 11.7 14.8 (92)Goals : Brisbane – J Brown 3, J Sherman 3, C McGrath 2, M Clark, S Harding, J Brennan, M Austin, C Stiller, S Black, J Polkinghorne. Sydney – M O’Loughlin 4, J White 3, A Goodes 3, K Thornton, L Ablett, B Kirk, K Jack.Best : Brisbane – M Clark, J Brown, T Johnstone, J Brennan, A McGrath, J Sherman. Sydney – A Goodes, L Roberts-Thompson, R O’Keefe, D Jolly, R Shaw, B Kirk.Injuries : Brisbane – J Drummond (quad). Sydney – Nil.Reports – Nil. Umpires - H Kennedy, S Wenn, S Jeffery.Crowd - 27,933 at SCG.

Only 17,284 people, the smallest ever AFL crowd at AAMI Stadium, saw North Melbourne finish their season strongly when the Kangaroos maintained their impressive record against Port Adelaide with a thrilling 4-point win on Saturday night.Drew Petrie, North’s hero from last week, got the Kangaroos off to a good start with the first goal of the game, but soon afterwards found himself reported the first of four players to be booked on a day when tempers flared and the frustration of two teams whose finals dreams were already dashed boiled over. But Port hit back on the field, taking the lead late in the first team and leading by 20 points at one stage in the second term and by 13 points at the long break.The rain got even heavier in the third quarter. The Power started the term strongly, and twice got out to a 20 point lead. But the Kangaroos weren’t finished yet, and with the last three goals of the quarter the margin was cut to just 3 points at three quarter time. Early in the last quarter, Brent Harvey put the Kangaroos in front. At 14 minutes, Brett Ebert marked 30 metres out to restore the Port lead.By now the rain had turned the ground into a quagmire, and it was a war of attrition as tired players struggled to control a slippery ball in the wet conditions. But in the final minute, when it looked like the Power would hold on, Scott McMahon marked 50 metres out. Too far out to score, but McMahon was pushed after taking the mark and a 50m penalty was awarded. The penalty took McMahon to the edge of the goalsquare; and with the easiest of kicks the Kangaroos took the win – a positive finish to a disappointing year. But for the Power, it was another blow as a season that had begun with promise finished with nothing; the retiring Peter Burgoyne and Brendan Lade missing out on the chance to finish their careers with one last win.North Melbourne 2.3 4.4 8.6 10.11 (71)Port Adelaide 3.2 6.5 8.9 9.13 (67)Goals : North Melbourne – D Petrie 3, J Smith, B Harvey 2, A Edwards, J Gibson, S McMahon. Port Adelaide – B Ebert 3, H Hartlett 2, B Lade, N Salter, D Brogan, M Broadbent.Best : North Melbourne – J Gibson, L Anthony, B Harvey, C Garlett, S Thompson, D Petrie. Port Adelaide – K Cornes, D Cassisi, T Chaplin, D Brogan, C Cornes, J Davenport.Injuries : North Melbourne – Nil. Port Adelaide – Nil.Reports : North Melbourne – D Petrie for striking A Carlile in the first quarter. Port Adelaide – T Chaplin for striking A Swallow in the second quarter, R Gray for striking S Thompson before the opening bounce of the third quarter, K Cornes for using obscene/insulting or abusive language after the final siren.Umpires - D Margetts, S Meredith, S McBurney.Crowd - 17,284 at AAMI Stadium.

St Kilda snapped their 2-game losing streak to ensure that the minor premiers would go into the finals in winning form when the Saints ran out a 47-point win over Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.Fears that the Saints had slumped at the wrong time of year grew when the bottom-placed Melbourne held a 12 point lead at the first change; but the Saints rallied in the second term with 5 goals to 2 to take the lead by 6 points at half time after a spectacular high-flying mark by Nick Riewoldt shortly before the half-time siren.The Saints had taken the momentum when they hit the front, and went on with the job early in the third term with the first three goals to get out to a 27 point lead. But in the final two minutes before the siren, Liam Jurrah kicked two goals to cut the margin to 16 points and give the Demons some chance of taking the upset win.But it wasn’t to be, as the Saints scored 7 goals to 2 in the final quarter. The 47-point win will restore the Saints’ confidence and momentum as they move into the finals. Nick Dal Santo with 39 touches and Lenny Hayes with 37 had welcome returns to form, while Nick Riewoldt was a force up forward with 6 goals.The Demons farewelled retiring forwards Russell Robertson and Paul Wheatley, and in their final quarter of football they would kick their team’s only goals. The Demons’ season is over, with their second straight wooden spoon and will be hoping to pick up enough quality with their top picks in the upcoming draft to turn their fortunes around. In their final game for 2009, Liam Jurrah kicked 4 goals while Cale Morton was a prominent possession-getter with 36 touches.St Kilda 2.2 7.5 10.10 17.12 (114)Melbourne 4.2 6.5 8.6 10.7 (67)Goals : St Kilda – N Riewoldt 6, J Koschitzke 2, S Milne 2, N Dal Santo, S Dempster, S Gilbert, J Gram, A McQualter, L Montagna, A Schneider. Melbourne – L Jurrah 4, M Jamar, B Miller, B Moloney, R Robertson, C Sylvia, P Wheatley.Best : St Kilda – N Dal Santo, L Hayes, N Riewoldt, L Montagna, S Milne, S Fisher. Melbourne – C Sylvia, L Dunn, C Morton, J McDonald, C Bartram, L Jurrah.Injuries : St Kilda – L Hayes (hamstring tightness). Melbourne – M Whelan (hamstring), P Wheatley (calf).Reports – Nil. Umpires - C Donlon, C Kamolins, J Mollison.Crowd - 36,748 at MCG.

Before the final home and away match started it was already known that both Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs would finish in the top 4. But it was Western Bulldogs who took the psychological boost of winning form into the finals. The Bulldogs needed to defeat Collingwood by 22 points to take third place, and they fell over the line through a last-minute goal to veteran Brad Johnson.Honours were shared in the first term, but the Bulldogs took the initiative in the second term to go out to a 12 point lead at half time. But the Magpies then took the ascendancy, scoring the first 4 goals of the quarter to turn their 2-goal deficit into a 2-goal lead. But although the momentum appeared to be switching Collingwood’s way, the Bulldogs worked harder to turn their fortunes around; and with the last 4 goals of the quarter the margin at the end of the quarter was the same 12 point advantage to the Bulldogs as it started.From there, the Bulldogs shut down the game in the last term kicking 3 goals to 1 in a low-scoring contest. Once the Bulldogs had restricted Collingwood’s goal-scoring power, there was no question of the Magpies coming back to take the game, and the main interest was in whether the Bulldogs could eke out enough of a win to avoid playing St Kilda next week. And, although it took until the final minute, the Bulldogs managed to do enough to book themselves a date with Geelong next week instead.The Bulldogs will take on 2nd placed Geelong next week, while Collingwood will tackle minor premiers St Kilda.Western Bulldogs 3.3 7.7 11.12 14.16 (100) Collingwood 3.3 5.7 9.12 10.16 (76)Goals : Bulldogs – B Johnson 4, J Akermanis 2, J Hill 2, A Everitt, R Murphy, N Eagleton, C Ward, S Welsh, S Higgins. Collingwood – T Lockyer 2, D Thomas 2, J McCarthy, S Wellingham, J Fraser, J Anthony, L Davis, D Swan.Best : Bulldogs – R Hargrave, B Lake, M Boyd, L Gilbee, A Cooney, B Johnson. Collingwood – T Lockyer, H Shaw, N Maxwell, A Didak, L Davis, D Swan.Injuries : Bulldogs - B Hudson (back-related hamstring tightness) replaced in selected side by A Everitt. Collingwood - S Pendlebury (back spasm), L Brown (virus) replaced in selected side by T Goldsack, J McCarthy.Reports – Nil. Umpires - B Rosebury, R Chamberlain, S McInerney.Crowd - 48,888 at Docklands.